I’ve only flown once since the COVID-19 pandemic reached the USA. A one day trip with a RT itinerary with no connections. I’m fortunate enough to not have to travel for work at the moment and just can’t justify the risk (to myself or others). There are many out there that have to travel for work, or just want to get back to as normal a life as possible. While plenty of studies have said that due to air filters, there is a low chance of catching COVID-19 on a plane, a new report caught my eye.
This is Why Contract Tracing is So Important
When I flew in July, I opted to take the complimentary upgrade to First Class. Sue me – I like the leg room. Also, at the time, United was not seating people next to each other in First. My friend Summer Hull from The Points Guy has opted to pass on her upgrades. She’s correct in her observation that passengers in First Class are keeping masks off while enjoying cocktails. 🙄
Nonetheless, I figured that her take made a lot of sense. It’s better, perhaps, to sit further back in the plane, which if empty would allow for plenty of room to distance from others. Data coming out from contact tracing reports focused on a Qantas flight back in March might be changing my mind on that now.
Business Insider reports that “as many as 11 travelers caught COVID-19 onboard the five-hour flight from Sydney to Perth on March 19”. All of them were in economy. But, seven of them had been in window seats in the middle of the economy cabin. Sure, this is a small number out of the 243 passengers on board, but you only need one interaction to catch this virus.
Does This Make You Re-Think Your Travel Plans?
When I contracted COVID-19, I more than likely got it from a grocery store or from an Uber. I hadn’t been on a plane for 20 days before I fell sick with symptoms. That said, my concern has never been with contracting the virus while in flight. I’ve always been more concerned about all the close contacts on the ground: security, sitting at the gate, ground transportation, etc. It’s important to be aware of all the various data available. That said, does this make you re-think your travel plans? Or, perhaps more so how you pick your seat?
The post Study Shows These Seats on Planes Have Higher Risk of Contracting COVID-19 was first published on Coworkaholic.